A radio host in New York was fired Wednesday after he compared the settings of his favorite toaster to the skin tones of black women, including tennis star Serena Williams, actress Halle Berry and CBS host. Gayle king
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“The Morning Bull Show” host Rob Lederman with Buffalo’s 97 Rock radio station was “quickly canceled” by Cumulus Media broadcasting company.
“Cumulus Media operates from a clearly defined set of programming principles and there is no question that Rob Lederman’s comments on The Morning Bull Show are in direct violation of those principles,” the company statement read. “We promptly fired him and suspended the rest of the on-air talent from the show. We apologize and deeply regret the incident.”
The suspended presenters who also participated in the conversation were Chris Klein and Rich “Bull” Gaenzler, according to local media WKBW.
The controversial broadcast involved Lederman comparing his toaster settings to the skin tones of high-profile black women.
“We have ours [our toaster settings] … because of the attractiveness of women I find attractive, so I will never go to a Serena Williams “Lederman said as his co-hosts laughed.” But I feel very comfortable at Halle Berry’s level. I need some mulatto who’s still coming in … Gayle King isn’t even on my toaster level. “
The clip went viral after ESPN reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques shared it on Twitter.
I didn’t hear this live, but the internet saves the receipts. @ 97RockBuffalo The morning hosts compared how they liked the toast with the skin tone of black women. So in case you missed it too, listen up pic.twitter.com/6nVolu5a23
– Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) March 24, 2021
Several organizations, including Buffalo’s Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation and Ride for Roswell, withdrew their advertising from the station amid the fallout.
Lederman was also fired from his role as arena host for Buffalo Sabers and Buffalo Bandits.
– Pegula Sports & Entertainment (@PegulaSE) March 24, 2021
Lederman issued an apology on Twitter after his impeachment, saying he was “horrified” to hear his comments.
“I want to sincerely apologize for hurting people with my foolish and ignorant comments yesterday,” he said. “I understand 100% why people are justifiably angry. I made a mistake and it’s hard to look in the mirror, but I want to admit it. I apologize from the depths of who I am.”
The former presenter added that he had reached out to “the NAACP, my clergy friends in the African American community, as well as the mayor’s office, to seek their guidance and teaching.”
“I ask your forgiveness and I am committed to learning, doing better, and increasing my sensitivity and understanding,” he wrote. “I want this to be the beginning of a learning process so that we as a community can improve.”
– Rob Lederman (@LedermanRob) March 25, 2021
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown (D), who is black, was one of several elected officials who publicly condemned the exchange.
“The racist comment made on ‘The Morning Bull’ on 97 Rock is outrageous and intolerable,” Brown tweeted.
The racist comment made on The Morning Bull on 97 Rock is outrageous and intolerable. There is no place in our society for these statements or beliefs. I strongly condemn what these people said on the radio this morning.
– Byron W. Brown (@MayorByronBrown) March 25, 2021